Apparatus for sterilizing



Nov. 28, 1950 H. SMITH, JR

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING 15 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 19, 1946 Rm W W m ML 2 w A? x m W/ H% kh\ Y \Q B H. 1.. SMITH, JR APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING Nov. 28, 1950 15 Shets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 19, 1946 INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEY m m 5 L e m H H. L. SMITH, JR

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING Nov. 28, 1950 Filed Oct. 19, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENIQR. Horace L..5mzih,Jz1

AT TORNEAC H. L. SMITH, JR

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING Nov. 28, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 19, 1946 IN VEN TQR. Horace L- Smzth, J :1

A! ATTORNEY.

Nov. 28, 1950 H. L. SMITH, JR

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING 15 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Oct. 19, 1946 INVENTQR. Horace L. $mzth,Jz

ATTORNEY.

Nov. 28, 1950 H. SMITH, JR 2,531,473

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING Filed Oct. 19, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet 7 .mmvroga. HoraceL.5mzfh,Jz:

AT TORNEY Nov. 28, 1950 H. L. SMITH, JR

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING l5 Sheets-Sheet 8 Filed Oct. 19, 1946 mu m W) INVENTQR. Horace L.5mzzh,.fz1

$ 7 Z it/M4 ATTORNEY.

Nov. 28, 1950 Filed 00f. 19, 1946 H. L. SMITH, JR

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING 15 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR. Horace L.5mith, Jr.

I BY M ATTORNEY 15 Sheets-Sheet 10 H. L. SMITH, :IR APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING Nov. 28, 1950 Filed Oct. 19, 1946 A Y B m H. L. SMITH, JR

APPARATUS FOR STEIRILIZING Nov. 28, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 12 Filed 001;. 19, 1946 INVENTOR. Horace L.5mitl1,Jz:

0 ATTORNEY.

Nov. 28, 1950 H. SMITH, JR 2,531,473

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING Filed 0a., 19, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet 13 INVENTQR. Horace L.Smzth,Jz1

BY I

ATTORNEY.

H. L. SMITH, JR

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING Nov. 28, 1950 15 Sheets-Sheet 14 Filed Oct. 19, 1946 INVEN TOR.

E J u @Mw m. m L fin W. 2A m J 1S0 gun.

ZH Emu-$5 Nov. 28, 1950 H. SMITH, JR 2,531,478

APPARATUS FOR STERILIZING Filed Oct. 19, 1946 15 Sheets-Sheet l5 ST ERILIZING APPARATUS PREHEATER SEALER TO LABELING AND PACKAGING MACHINES HOLDING TANK FILLER INVENTOIf. Horace L.5mzfh,.1'r.

BY/ /r ,M

ATTORNE. Y.

Patented Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF ICE PBAaarUsr'oR srrim lzmo Horace L. 'Smith, Jr., Richmond; Va., ass'ignor -to ()hainB-elt Gompany,'Milwaukee, Wis., -a corporatiomof'wisconsin Application October '19, 1946,'S erial No.'704,481

cooked taste, is *generallyo'fi-colorfrom fresh milk and very frequently completely coagulates in the can when it is stored for any length of time. Veryoftentheconventional methods and processes --used*produce a condition whereby the insideof the can is coated with scorched milk; also 'the tinning on the inside Of the can is sometimes removed which condition also imparts a metal taste-to the milk. Many-recent experiments *have failed to properly overcome these defects and impediments 'in the resultant finished food product. This invention is generally concerned "with the production 'and sterilization of evapo- -rated-mil-k and other comestibles, so that they =may have the highest possible quality without having the defects mentioned.

The embodiment, which is-illustrative of this invention, performs as follows: cans containing mil-kgor' semi-liquid food products, 'which'may or may not be preheated, are first placed in steel tubes. The tubes are'next placed on a circular rotary support, whereupon during-one revolution of the circular support the tubes are simultaneously rotated about their longitudinal axis; super atmospheric steam isadmitted into the tube for a determined length of time, sterilizing the contents of the cans. Subsequently, water -is admitted-under pressure for a determined length of time whereupon the cans and their contents "are cooled.

At the end of the revolution of said circular support the tube is taken off of the circular support. The cans are removed from the tube andiplaced "on a conveyer for subsequent packaging-or, ifurther cooling and subsequent packaging. Thus, me very short time the cans and their :contents are sterilized and cooled with absolute control of the milk, or semi-liquid food contents in the can so as to'produce the best possible milk or food product.

Whereas it would be possible :to :treat. the canned milk,-or food'products, in anapparatus :comprising one tube=andstill accomplish the desired results as far as the :edible and physical :an-apparatus which will permit the safe sterilizcernedyit could not be done as practically, for

the costof such an undertaking might be prohibi tive. This 'invention-enables one to continuously subject a plurality of cansofmilk, or food-products, in a liquid or semi-liquid stateto'the same meticulously controlled method at-a high rate-0f production; :It' will be notedalso from the-drawings that-this improved machine-is compact and wholly self-contained by reason of its novel features of construction and design well within the spirit of the invention. This further saves floor ity-of sterile evanorated milk or other semi-liquid comestibles may be produced, such milk having all the natural flavorsand qualities-of Whole naturalmilk when it is diluted with water to the correct proportions.

ltis also theobject of this inventionto enable the flash sterilization of milk'orother comestibles, i.'e.; heating the milk or comestible to the temperature required for sterilization in a very short time.

lt is further another object of the .invention to sterilize the milk-or comestible without cooking or burning the milk.

Another object of the invention is to provide the best possible heat transfer from heating and cooling medium to the-contents of the cans to avoid the cooking or scorching of the comestible.

It is another objectof the invention to accomplis'h the aforesaid object inthe minimum amount of time.

Still another object of theinvention is to pro- :vide means .foreffectingaccurate control-of the temperatureand time during which vtheeans of foodstufi aresterilized and cooled.

Another object .of the invention .is to provide ing of cans without rupturing them.

Aiurther-object of the invention is to provide an im'proved apparatus which will have a high rate of production; .and to provide anapparatus which is compact, economical to operate, and

capable :of easy manufacture.-

In the detailed'description of theinvention ref- Elnxthe drawings: Fig. -1 is a planwiewof the apparatusof this invention;

Fig. :2 is :a 'front elevation oi the apparatus properties of the milk, :or =food. :pro ducts, are :con- .55 shown. in, Fig. .1

Fig. 3 represents the rotatable circular support with parts thereof broken away and in section;

Fig. 4 shows disposition of the loading mechanism otherwise shown in part on Figs. 1 and 2;

Fig. 5 illustrates the position of the loadin and unloading mechanism in regard to the rotatable circular support and is a sectional View taken along the lines 5--5 of Fig, 1;

Fig. 6 is a modified diagrammatic drawing showing the disposition of the driving instrumentality for the rotatable circular support and the tubes thereon;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged sectional View of the inlet heads taken along the lines 'I'l of Fig. 1;

Fig. 8 is another enlarged sectional view of the inlet valve assembly;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view of the tube taken along the lines I0Ifl of Fig. 7;

Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view of the outlet heads taken along the lines IIII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a partly broken away sectional View of the outlet valve assembly;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the outlet valve assembly shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic drawing showing the arrangement of the control means for the loading and unloading of the apparatus shown in the previous drawings;

Fig. 15 is a schematic drawing showing the electrical and safety connections for the apparatus;

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic drawing showing the inlet cycle;

Fig. 1'? is another diagrammatic drawing showing the outlet cycle;

Fig. 18 is a linear graph showing the relationship of all of the treating steps in the cycle;

Fig. 19 is a flow diagram showing the respective positions of a filler, a Thermo-Roto, and the sterilizing apparatus.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the different views:

Referring to the drawings and more particu- .of the support. Each set of heads is disposed to carry a tube 5. The number of tubes is in excess of the number of sets of heads as the number in excess is held by a loading mechanism to be subsequently described. Mounted on the frame on the front side of the machine is the feeding mechanism I. Also mounted on the frame are the cam supports 9 and I0 which operate the valves in the inlet and exhaust heads as the circular support is rotated about its longitudinal axis.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, it will be noted that the rotatable circular support 2 is journalled on bearings mounted to the frame at 8 and II. On either end of the circular support are trunnions which are apertured, one to permit passage of water and the other steam. 1 Attached to the trunnions at either end are rotary couplings which enable the steam and water to pass therethrough while the circular rack is rotated. The rotary coupling I2 permits the passage of steam into the hollow trunnion I3 whence it is tapped off and directed to the twenty-four inlet heads 3 by means of piping and a manifold I4. The ex- 4 haust steam is tapped off of the twenty-four outlet or exhaust heads 4 by piping and directed to a manifold I5, thence directed to the space between the hollow trunnion and the hollow shaft I6 carrying the inlet steam, whence it is removed by reason of a rotary exhaust coupling I! which has outlet piping IT.

The water is admitted to the machine by means of the rotary coupling I8, thence it passes through the trunnion I8 and is tapped off and directed to each of the twenty-four inlet heads by means of piping and a manifold I9. The exhaust cooling water is taken off of the twenty-four exhaust heads by piping and a manifold 20 and directed to a rotating chamber 2| mounted on the support whence it is removed to the well 22 and next directed to a water tank 23 by the spout 24. It will be noted that the basin has walls to prevent any splashing or leakage as the support is rotated.

The tubes 5 are rotated about their own longitudinal axis from the instant they are taken on the rotatable circular support until they are taken off of it. This is accomplished by means of an electric motor 25 which is mounted to the frame I. An intermediate sprocket shaft 26 is mounted on the frame by brackets and a bearing. This shaft has two sprockets mounted on it, one to receive and engage a chain drive from the motor, and the other to engage a chain drive to a sleeve 21 which is journalled on the trunnion at the water entrance side of the rotatable circular support. This sleeve 21 has two sprocket wheels mounted on it; one to engage a chain from the intermediate sprocket shaft 26 and another to engage a chain to the sprocket 28 which is mounted on the shaft 29. The sleeve rides on the trunnion with suflicient clearance so as not to interfere with the rotation thereof. The sprocket 28 is fixed to the shaft 29 which is journalled in bearings mounted by brackets 30 and 3I within the circular support. Also mounted on the shaft 29 is the sprocket 32 from which an endless chain I09 passes over sprockets carried by each of the exhaust heads and back to the said driving sprocket 32. Thus the tubes are rotated by chains and sprockets; or, they receive the impetus for rotation from a power source which i located outside of the rotatable circular support. Mounted also on the shaft 29 is the sprocket 33 which engages a chain connected to a sprocket affixed to the hydraulic oil pump 34 and the lubricating pump 35 which are connected to a single shaft and mounted inside the rotatable circular support by means of brackets attached to the axial supporting member of the tube 36 as is apparent by reference to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3.

Mounted in the rotatable circular support, and axially connecting both of the ends is the hollow tubular support 36 in which are disposed the hydraulic and lubricating oil tanks 31 and 38. The hydraulic oil is heated somewhat a it passes through the plurality of inlet heads, and

it is necessary to cool it. This is accomplished -to the water inlet manifold I9 and whose outlet is connected by piping to the outlet manifold 20.

Mounted on the frame I are supports 9 and ill on which the cams =for actuating the valve stems-of the valves contained in-the inlet and exhaust heads are afii-xed- The hydraulic cam 4|, the steam inlet cam 42, and the water inlet cam Hare mounted on the same supportfi which does not revolve with the-rotatable circular sup port but is fixed to. the name i bymeansof the support =44. The steam exhaust cam 45 and water exhaust cam 36. are mounted on a separate support I which is alsosthe-sustaining frame of the catch receptacle '21, for the exhaust water. It too does not rotate, but-'i'sfixed tothe frame;

All of the five above mentioned. camsv are segments set in grooves-having curved surfaces and are deployed somewhat at intervals over the periphery of their supports. to. conform to the desiredcycle. Hence, as the rotatable circular rack makes one revolution all of the valves are actuated by the said ca-Inst Referring to. Figs. 7 and 10-, it will be noted that the tube assembly: consists of four parts. First the tube itself 5., which in the instant case is long enough to contain twenty-four cans 341% inches: long placed endw-ise; a number of round steel, rods ii: are placed apart and fixed: to the internal bore of the, tube, -so that they will not distort. when, heated, thereby. providing a minimum of clearance betweenv the cans C and the rods and therefore atractive surface so that the cans will. revolve with the tube 5 when it is rotated. The cans used in the instant case are 2i-2 inchesoutside diameter. Another purpose of the laterally extendingrodsis to provide an open space between the cans C andth'etube itself; i. e., arcuate passages 48:, as shown inFig. 1 0. These permit the steam and water toafreely pass around the cans and also. facilitates easy expulsion of any remaining Water when steam is passed there through. Since the cross sectional area of the steam passage is reduced by insertion of cans C in the tube, leaving only the space between the internal bore of thetube and the peripheries of theocans, the velocity of the steam; is increased as it passes throughL this reduced area. The end rings 49 and 5d: are aflixed to each endv 0f the tube; the outer faces or extremities of these rings are machined square and are chamfered to permit their easy insertion and firmseating against the soft packing 5i and 52 set in the heads at each end of the tube; Mounted on the rings til and; 5! are the serrated face rings 53 and54; these are pressed on the tube andslocked against any possible movement by setscrews. They act as a multiplicity of dogs, or as: a claw coupling, engaging like serrated face rings 55 and 56 attached tothe head spindles when the spindle of the inlet head is moved-forwardbyhydraulic force. Thus: the soft packing, prevents any leakage and, the.

serrated face rings effectively transmit the motionof thespindles l 8-2 and-'59:

The intake. valve head; comprises an assembly which admits steam and water, controls 'thehydraulic-system and hascontained thereinthehydraulic apparatus which effect thQClfllll-Dlilg of the tube. This is shown in Figs. 7; 8 and 9;

The spindle head consists of a-housing in two, sections Eli-and 5s and a piston assembly. The spindlejfis is-tubular to permit steam'and water to pass therethrough andis mounted in therearward sectionlon ballbea-rings t0 and M, which in turn-are mounted'in the piston assembly 62.

Attached to theend of the spindle at: the tube.

end is a head 63, which as-previously described has attached tog=ita-serrated facering 55. Also. there is. arecessed groovewhichrin turn contains acetate 6 the packing 5' I. The mouth or the head 6 3 'is has low "and flared also; inserted in it is a-eonic'al' plug 64 which is separated from the walls of Said mouth by'spacersand secured by bolts. This feetu-re permits the steam to be directed around and over thecans in the tube through-the areaatechannels 48 provided by the rods A l.

The bearings are force feed lubricated having an inlet at 65' into a reservoir being disposed within the body of the piston assembly and an outlet at '66 so that: cool air may enter at the bottom and warm oil leave at the top. The oil is-sealedin the reservoir and bearings by rotary seals 61 and 68 which are of the bellows type and are so constructed to withstand high temperatureswhich the steam occasions. The ends of the bellows are provided with shoes which transmit pressure on the rings "6 Sand 1E1 mounted on the housing.

The piston assembly 82' is disposed to provide axial movement for the spindle. The oil which energizes: this piston admitted at H under pressure by means of piping from the valve (-2 attached to the head assembly. I-t actson the face of the piston 13 forcing the piston toward the tube 5. Due to the difference of pressure when-the-pressure is released at ll-4 the oil, which is intermittently admitted atv 1 A, from thevalve port 8'6 acts on the-opposite face of the piston 15-, the: oil being sealed by the piston rings i7, and forces the piston back. This is brought about by reason of the action of the valve 12 which-shifts to stop the fiow of oilto thelarger piston face and also permits the oil which is displaced by the piston 'tO fiOW into the cooling reservoir 31. A key 18, which is fixed tothe piston, engages a slot in the housing to prevent any rotation therewith. The oil is sealed on bothsides of the piston by bellows seals 59' and which are fastened to the end plates '8 land 32 at the forward end of the head, and plates 8,3and 84 at the-rearward end of the head. These plates engage the bore of the housing in a tight:

- the oil.

fit and are bolted to it, thuse'fiectively sealing: The bellows seals l9 have a lateral. movement which is equivalent to the total axial; movement of the piston. The piston is' also provided with a bearing 85 which is part of'the end plate assembly and which is of the sleeve bushing variety.

Referring to Figs. 8 and 9 it willbe noted that attached to the intake head 3- is'the valve assem= bly 86- which further consists of a housing 81 a steam valve 88, a water valve 89, and the hy draulic valve l2. steam and water will pass into a common passage which is directly connected in a straight line" to the rotating tube. The steam valve 88 is the usual variety of poppet valve. There are guides below the top of the valve and a saw tooth apron to permit throttling of the valve; the

valve stem is sealed by means of abellows packing. The valve is also kept in a closed'positionby the action of a coil spring 99. The water and 92 force the valve stems upward and will be further described-later.

The hydraulic valve 12 'isin'ounte'd on the housing. 8-'l next* to the steam and-water valves. This is; a piston. type valve having four ports; an;

It will be noted that the valve 89 is of the usual variety of stem valves having a bronze seat, and it is also sealed by Both of these valves are actuated inlet port 93, the oil pump also is connected to it by means of piping to the hydraulic inlet manifold 91, two outlet ports 94 which are connected to the hydraulic outlet manifold 98, a port 95 to the large piston, and a port 98 to the smaller piston. When the valve is opened the oil under pressure from the pump flows through the check valve 99, shown in Fig. 3, then through the port 95, then to inlet II and to the piston chamber; when closed the oil flows through the ports 94 to the outlet manifold 98 and thence by means of piping to the reservoir 31. Oil is intermittently admitted to the reverse side I5 of the piston being synchronized with the flow stoppages to the large piston. The aforesaid oil flows through port 96 :being connecmd by means of piping to the port 14. This action forces the piston assembly backward and holds the heads 3 in open position. The valve I2 is further actuated by action of the roller follower I on the cam 4|. The three roller followers aforesaid are mounted on a common shaft IOI supported by brackets mounted on the housing. As shown in Fig. 8 the valve I2 is in a position to open the heads 3, as oil passes from port 03 to port 96, and on to port 14 and the small piston. The exhausting oil from the larger piston flows through port 95 and through port 04, thence to the outlet manifold 98. As the stem of valve I2 is raised ports 93 and 95 are in communication; this permits oil to flow against the large piston I3, meanwhile ports 03 and 06 have been closed to each other and the exhausting oil from the small piston 15 flows through ports 96 and 94, thence to the outlet manifold 98. It will be noted that a small check valve 99 is interposed between the inlet manifold 91 and the valve port 93 so as to prevent any back flow as the plurality of inlet heads are operated under divers steps of the cycle to be described.

The exhaust head 4 contains valves to permit steam and water to escape, a clutch and driving means to rotate the tube, a spindle, bearings for the driving spindle, a housing and a claw coupling and seal to engage and seal the tube. This is understood by reference to Figs. ll, 12 and 13.

The spindle I02 has a hollow tube I83 concentrically placed in its bore and supported and attached to lugs I0 5 which are spaced some 90 apart in the bore of the spindle. The hollow tube is stopped at both ends by metal plugs I55 and I06. This permits the steam and water coming from the rotated tube to follow a straight line around the tube and the bore of the spindle through the arcuate passages 48 into the exhaust chamber, hence guarding against any accumulation of water, besides giving free passage to the steam and water, and by continuing the reduction of the cross sectional area of the steam passage further maintaining the velocity of the steam until it is exhausted and is out of contact of the cans.

The end ring 5-0 of the rotary tube 5 seats and seals itself on the packing 52 which is placed in a groove of the spindle, when the piston in the inlet head is moved forward by hydraulic pressure controlled by the valve I2. The serrated face ring 54 engages the spindle serrated face ring 56 which slides back, a friction disc I01 thereupon engages the face of the clutch plate I08 and this causes the tube to rotate about its longitudinal axis by means of a friction drive. The clutch plate I08 is driven by a sprocket I09 and chain I09. The sprocket is journalled on the spindle I02 having a sleeve type bearing of anti-friction metal, so that when the clutch is disengaged the sprocket may freely ride on the spindle I02.

The friction disc I0'I may be disengaged from the clutch plate by reason of the action of the hydraulic piston I5 in the inlet head when the oil acting upon it forces the piston back releasing the tube. The clutch is further disengaged by the springs I I0 which may push the friction disc away from the clutch plate and forces another friction disc H2 against the plate H3. This can stop the rotation of the tube 5. The spindle in the exhaust head is supported by ball bearings I I4 and I I5 which are force feed lubricated. The oil entering at the port I I9 is connected by means of piping to the lubricating inlet manifold I35 and leaves through port I2I, thence directed to the lubricating outlet manifold I22 which is in turn connected to the reservoir 38. The housing H5 contains the bearing races. The oil is sealed by rotary seals of the bellows type H6 and Hl which have been previously described.

The hollow tube I03 projects into the exhaust chamber whereupon the steam is exhausted. The exhaust chamber H8 contains two exhaust valves, one for steam I23 and one for water I24 as seen in Figs. 12 and 13. The steam exhaust valve is of the usual stem variety with a seat I25. It is sealed by a bellows packing I26 and has a coil spring I2'I to keep it in a closed position. It is operated by action of the cam 45 on a roller follower, which is interposed between the cam and the valve stem.

The water exhaust valve I24 has a seat I28 and seats itself against pressure in chamber H8 on the top portion of the valve; this being the reverse seating arrangement of the steam valve. This design has been chosen so that the valve might perform three functions.

The first of these function being to be in a full open position; to accomplish this the roller follower I20 must fall free from the stem and plunger I30 whereupon the coil spring I3I pulls the entire assembly down. This position of the valve is needed at the start of the steam cycle of the machine when a. blast of steam ejects all of the accumulated water in the tube and also evacuates all air from the tube and any other foreign contents therein. The second function of the water valve is to maintain a closed position when steam under pressure is passed through the tube. To effect this the coil spring I32 is compressed by the plunger I30, the spring acting on the valve stem thus keeps the valve closed at a pressure higher than the steam pressure on top of the valves. The initial flow of the cooling medium is also maintained at a pressure so as to prevent the busting of the cans by the closure of the valve up to a point of resistance to about 30 p. s. i. When the plunger is permitted to fall inch by reason of the contour of the cam over which the roller follower passes the valve remains closed up to a pressure of about 15 p. s. i. This is necessary when cooling water is passed through the tube and over the cans therein, for the water is admitted under pressure, so that the cans will not burst, but when the cans and their contents are sufficiently cooled the pressure must be relieved; this step is accomplished when the stem falls the said inch. In this manner the cans are prevented from being crushed by excessive pressure of the coolant. The valve is sealed with a bellows packing I33. The followers I29 and the matching one for the steam valve are 

